What may be the cause for a rough bottom layer?

WidgetElgie

The bottom layer on my prints are a bit rough. Intially they were baby smooth. I thought this may be the leveling being too close/far from the nozzel. 


I tried adjusting the level several times, but it appears the center of my glass plate is a bit warped and the center point touched the nozzle if I adjust the corners correctly.

I then tried using glue stick to help with adhesion despite the not perfect level. It has had better results but not perfect.

Any thoughts?

Samuel Pinches

Sorry, but it's unfortunately not uncommon. Center point always tends to be higher since the metal heater plate "domes" as it heats, due to it being a one sided design.

Option 1: install custom firmware and use mesh bed levelling

Option 2: level manually (sheet of paper, levelling nuts) for the region of bed you are using

Option 3: Use a slow, thick first layer height, and put up with poor quality bottom layers.

WidgetElgie

Thanks. At least I know why. I will try some of your suggestions.

chainbreaker2012

WidgetElgie, I had same issue with mine, I used a perimeter of painters tape on the outside of my glass and that helped a bit with the center warp (guessing because it warms the bed more evenly) also the custom firmware with mesh bed leveling set at .004" feeler guage has made a tremendous difference on my prints. Make sure your bed and z axis are trammed, they have a file for a jig on thingiverse. Says for a5 but has worked on my a5s.

WidgetElgie

@chainbreaker2012 Thank you for your information. Unfortunately, I just now saw this post. I was having some successful prints for a while with a very careful series of bed leveling and test prints, but the front right corner still has the issue. 

In general that isn't a huge deal to avoid printing there, but it would be nice just to have it work equally well all over the board.I will try your tape and the jig yo provided this weekend and see if it proves to be helpful. 

I also saw a simple upgrade on the forum to add cork to the bottom of the heated bed. I was thinking of trying this as well as possibly applying some stiffeners to the underside to minimize warping, though I doubt there will be much space for this.

Are there any other great prints for quality of life improvements for the A5? I have seen several on thingiverse for other printer brands, I haven't thought to look specifically for my printer.

Samuel Pinches

https://jgaurorawiki.com/a5/modifications

https://www.thingiverse.com/samuelpinches/collections/jgaurora-a5-a3s-parts

WidgetElgie

Fantastic! Thank you!

@Samuel Pinches Are the mods in any sort of order like "Most Recommended to Least"

Samuel Pinches

For A5S, mine is still 100% stock hardware 🤷‍♂️

Well... 99% since I removed that jgaurora plate covering the x axis 

oh yeah, and I upgraded the bearings and the firmware

WidgetElgie

I think I definitely want to keep it as stock as possible. What benefits does the bearing and firmware upgrade provide? 

Samuel Pinches

Please see my A5S YouTube review for a demonstration of the low quality OEM bearings. They can cause layer shifting if they jam.

Samuel Pinches

Firmware upgrade gives you mesh bed levelling and reliable octoprint support

chainbreaker2012

@WidgetElgie here is what I did to fix the center warping on mine. It hasn't eliminated it but it did help alot

WidgetElgie

@chainbreaker2012 thanks a lot that is simple enough to do.